No, you’re not imagining it — your hair does shed more when you’re stressed. Maybe it’s after a month of tight deadlines and sleepless nights, or in the middle of a major life change like a breakup, a big move or giving birth. Suddenly you’re noticing more fallout in the shower, on your brush, on your pillow… everywhere. Pretty stressful, right? The irony. 

But here’s the thing: You’re far from alone. The link between mental health and hair wellness® is real — and understanding it is the first step in protecting your strands from stress-induced shedding.

Here, we’re unpacking exactly how stress impacts your hair growth cycle – and what you can do to support your mental well-being for stronger, fuller, healthier-looking hair. 

 

The Science of Stress and Hair Loss

Your hair doesn’t just grow at random. It follows a natural cycle that includes four main phases:

  • Anagen (growth phase): Follicles actively build new cells that grow & extend the hair shaft

  • Catagen (transition phase): Growth stops & hair detaches as the follicles begin to shrink

  • Telogen (resting phase): Hair remains anchored as growth temporarily pauses & follicles rest

  • Exogen (shedding phase): Old hair sheds naturally, making way for new growth

Most of the time, your strands stay in the growth phase — but when your body is under chronic stress, the cycle gets disrupted and your strands suffer as a result. Case in point? Stress increases the production of cortisol, a hormone that can prematurely push hair follicles into the resting phase and lead to a condition known as telogen effluvium. This causes a noticeable uptick in shedding, which typically starts several months after the triggering stressor. While the loss is often temporary, it can be alarming and take a serious toll on your confidence. 

It’s also worth noting that chronic stress can impact other biological systems, including hormone regulation, which directly affects your scalp and your follicles’ ability to function properly.

 

How Self-Care Helps Your Hair

Small, intentional changes lead to big improvements in — not only in your well-being, but in your hair, too. By engaging in daily habits that help calm your nervous system, your body registers that it’s safe, which in turn lowers cortisol levels and keeps your hair in growth mode. 

With that said, here are a few habits that are proven to boost peace of mind:

  • Journaling: Writing down your thoughts can help you process emotions better while reducing mental clutter.

  • Gentle movement: Light activities like yoga, walking or stretching help improve circulation (even to your scalp!) and regulate stress hormones. 

  • Consistent sleep: Quality rest helps support hormonal balance and gives your body time to repair itself, both of which are vital for healthy hair growth.

Remember: Self-care isn’t an indulgence. It’s a crucial foundation for wellness. By prioritizing your mental health, you’re also caring for your hair from the inside out.

 

Solutions for Stress-Induced Hair Thinning

While managing stress with lifestyle shifts is essential, supporting your hair topically and internally can help accelerate your progress. That’s where our GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum and GRO+ Advanced Hair Growth & Density Supplements come in.

  • GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum: Powered by plant exosomes and Vegasphere liposomal delivery, our MD-formulated serum drives actives deep into the scalp to help correct visible thinning & reduced density. 

  • GRO+ Advanced Hair Growth & Density Supplements: Our vegan, dual-pill supplement works from within to boost growth, strength and density while promoting follicle health and long-term vitality. 

Together, they make the perfect complement to your self-care routine — working to nurture your hair while you tend to your mental well-being.

Stress Less. Grow More. 

Stress may be inevitable — but hair thinning doesn’t have to be. By understanding how your body responds to mental strain and taking action to manage your stress load, you can support not only your hair growth cycle but also your overall vitality.

At VEGAMOUR, we believe hair wellness® and mental health go hand-in-hand. That’s why we’re here to support you with clinically proven solutions that work in harmony with your lifestyle, so you can keep your strands healthy and thriving — no matter what curveballs life brings your way. 

Shop all of our solutions here. 

 

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